Tennessee Senate Bill SB0980

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/23
• Engrossed: 2/27/23
• Enrolled: 4/5/23
• Passed: 4/24/23
• Chaptered: 5/3/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 13, relative to charter schools.

Impact

The bill impacts the structure of governance surrounding charter schools, particularly focusing on the role of local education authorities (LEAs) in modifying grade bands and how this affects charter schools under their jurisdiction. New requirements for notification prior to grade band changes are meant to provide charter schools ample opportunity to amend their charters accordingly, thus ensuring their flexibility and ability to adapt to local educational needs. Furthermore, it allows for limited out-of-district enrollment, enabling charter schools to accept students beyond their immediate geographic boundaries if they have not filled available spots from eligible in-district students.

Summary

Senate Bill 980 proposes several amendments to the Tennessee Code regarding charter schools, primarily aimed at modifying charter application evaluations and enrollment processes. One of the key changes involves how authorizers assess charter applications by requiring them to consider the performance of existing charter schools operated by the same sponsor or governing body. This change intends to enhance accountability and ensure that educational outcomes are a significant factor in the authorization process.

Sentiment

Overall, the sentiment around SB 980 is mixed, reflecting a general support for charter school accountability and performance evaluation but also highlighting concerns over the restrictions on enrollment policies. Supporters argue that the amendments will lead to improved educational standards and offer charter schools the ability to thrive within their communities. Meanwhile, detractors caution that restrictive enrollment policies may limit access for various student populations, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Contention

A notable point of contention within discussions of SB 980 revolves around the balance between local control and state oversight. Proponents emphasize the necessity of tightening regulations to enhance educational quality, while critics voice concerns that this might undermine the autonomy of charter schools by tightening authorizer control over their agreements and operations. The bill's provisions for revoking charter agreements under specified conditions, including a lack of progress towards achievement goals, raises questions about the proportionality and fairness of such measures.